The Knoxville Dining Guide
Award-winning chefs and inventive cuisine abound in Knoxville, Tennessee. In this Knoxville dining guide, you’ll find a wide range of sure-to-be favorites, from the best bagel in town to the freshest Mediterranean cuisine. Enjoy, and don’t forget to tell them The Scout Guide sent you!
BREAKFAST & BRUNCH
HOLLY’S GOURMET MARKET & CAFE
Southern-Style Café | 5107 Kingston Pike, Knoxville | @hollysgourmetmarket | All-day breakfast joint with superb Southern fare including all the comfort food favorites you would expect plus fantastic options that don’t just taste good, but are good for you.
OLIBEA
Morning Café | 211 South Central Street, Knoxville | @olibea | Elevated breakfast and brunch food served in a cheery, hip eatery in Old City. Be warned – this place fills up fast in the mornings!
PAYSAN BREAD AND BAGELS
Bagels & Bakery | 804 Tyson Street, Knoxville | @paysan_bread | All-star bagels at this walk up counter, with a crispy outside and perfectly soft and chewy inside. Whether you opt for a classic egg and cheese or one of their tempting schmears, you can’t go wrong.
THE PLAID APRON
Locally-Focused Café | 1210 Kenesaw Avenue, Knoxville | @theplaidapron | Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner served at this cute local restaurant that specializes in highlighting farmers and regional produce. This menu includes seasonal salads and lighter options for those in search of more nutritious fare as well as plenty of indulgent favorites.
LUNCH
TROTTER’S WHOLE HOG BBQ
SCOUTED | BBQ | 127 Bruce St, Sevierville | @trottersbbq | Trotter’s Whole Hog BBQ, located in the downtown Historic District of Sevierville, Tennessee, was created to define East Tennessee in the world of whole hog barbeque and to establish roots for this cooking style. The restaurant has a casual and inviting atmosphere and the menu has a whole lot of flavor.
GOOD GOLLY TAMALE
Speciality Tamales | 112 South Central Street, Knoxville | @goodgollytamale | From its days as a farmers market mainstay to its now permanent Old City storefront, these hand rolled, specialty tamales do not disappoint.
LITTON’S
Burgers & Deserts | 2803 Essary Drive, Knoxville | @littonsrestaunrant | A local institution and a standout for juicy burgers and a stellar dessert menu.
MARBLE CITY MARKET
Food Hall | 333 West Depot Avenue, Suite 110, Knoxville | @marblecitymarket | Knoxville’s first food hall and the perfect dining option when you want options. Donuts, ramen, Italian, and barbecue are just a few of the fabulous choices you have when visiting this foodie-forward dining destination.
POTCHKE
Kosher Deli | 318 N. Gay St, Knoxville | @potchkedeli | A nod to the Yiddish term for fussing over something, Potchke does just that – fuss over making really good food. Housed inside the historic downtown Regas building, Potchke is a day-time only eatery that serves an evolving menu of elevated Jewish deli, kosher, and Eastern European eats that are vibrant, fresh, seasonal, and nutritious. From wholesome and hearty borscht and leafy green salads loaded with locally-grown veg, to light tartines and classic lox and whitefish, the healthy offerings are plentiful. And don’t forget to order a side of digestion-aiding pickles! Gluten-free, vegan/vegetarian options available.
SOKNO TACO CANTINA
Tacos & Modern Mexican Plates | 3701 Sevierville Pike, Knoxville | @sokno_cantina | Open for lunch and dinner, this family-friendly taco shop serves up casual modern Mexican and a full drink menu.
SUNSPOT
Sandwiches, Salads, & Bowls | 2200 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville | A consistent crowd-favorite, featuring southwestern, Caribbean & Latin American fare, vegetarian items & draft brews in a casual atmosphere.
THE FRENCH MARKET CRÊPERIE
French Café | 412 Clinch Avenue & 161 Brooklawn Street | @frenchmarketcreperie | Authentic French crepes right here in Knoxville, what more could you ask for? Choose from sweet or savory crepes, sandwiches, soups and salads— their menu will truly transport you to Paris.
YASSIN’S FALAFEL HOUSE
Mediterranean Eats |159 North Peters Road & 706 Walnut Street | @yassinsfalafelhouse | A local favorite for fresh, non-fussy Mediterranean cuisine. Our go-to order? Their classic gyro or one of the delicious chicken shawarma sandwiches.
DINNER
THE APPALACHIAN
SCOUTED | 133 Bruce St, Sevierville | @eatappalachian | Led by Chef David Rule, The Appalachian brings Southern Appalachian dining to Sevierville in an homage to Smoky Mountain and East Tennesee heritage. It’s a modern approach to traditional Appalachian ingredients and dishes crafted in a large burning hearth positioned, fittingly, in the heart of the kitchen. Expect a unique culinary experience of delicious food and signature cocktails complemented by impeccable service.
BISTRO BY THE TRACKS
SCOUTED | Upscale American Bistro | 215 Brookview Centre Way, Knoxville | @bistro_bythetracks | Winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence in 2010, this quality, upscale American bistro boasts consistently delectable cuisine and a thoughtful wine list, perfect for pairing.
THE RESTAURANT AT RT LODGE
SCOUTED | 1406 Wilkinson Pike, Maryville | @therestaurantatrtlodge | Helmed by Chef Trevor Stockton, The Restaurant at RT Lodge is an exquisite dining experience. Expect house-made bread, pickles, mayonnaise, pimento cheese, and scores of other hand-crafted ingredients and dishes inspired by the season’s bounty and cooked to perfection. After dinner, enjoy coffee and complimentary s’mores around the fire pit, surrounded by the Lodge’s gorgeous landscape.
WILDER
SCOUTED | Breck Ellison Rd, Loudon | @wilderatwindyhill | Wilder at Windy Hill Farm and Preserve is a cozy cellar dining room with a delightful, seasonally-inspired dinner menu. It’s a true farm-to-table experience that boasts views of the very farm that produced the ingredients. And, Executive Chef Ben Warwick, stewards the farm’s bounty wonderfully. Expect a collection of small plates, seasonal offerings and nightly specials — all highlighting heirloom ingredients imaginatively prepared — alongside a thoughtfully curated selection of wine and beer inspired by the East Tennessee region.
A DOPO SOURDOUGH PIZZA
Pizzas, Wine, & Beer | 516 Williams Street, Knoxville | @adopopizza | Fantastic wood-fired sourdough pizza, divine gelato, italian wine and local brews— how can you go wrong?
AUBREY’S
American Easts | Multiple Locations | An all-day local favorite serving comfort food classics like hearty salads, enticing pastas and burgers.
CHIVO TAQUERIA
Tacos & Tequila | 14 South Gay Street, Knoxville | @chivotaqueria | A trendy taqueria with gourmet tacos and a large tequila menu.
EMILIA
Italian Bistro | 16 Market Square, Knoxville | @emilia_knoxville | Handmade pasta and other superb Italian fare served in a wonderful atmosphere with a neighborhood-feel. We especially love to dine al-fresco on their plant-lined patio.
HARD KNOX PIZZERIA
Pizzas, Salads, & Small Plates | Multiple Locations | @hardknoxpizza | A woman-owned, artisan pizza restaurant that specializes in wood-fired pizza with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
J.C. HOLDWAY
Farm to Table Dining | 501 Union Avenue Southwest, Knoxville | @jcholdway | Helmed by a James Beard Foundation award-winning chef, this is our favorite date night dinner spot. Fresh, local ingredients and wood-fire grill cooking techniques lend all the flavor and nostalgia to this farm-to-table gem.
KAIZEN
Asian Fusion | 127 South Central Street, Knoxville | @knoxkaizen | A Japanese-style Izakaya serving Asian Fusion fare, open for lunch and dinner. Don’t miss out on their buns.
KEFI
Mediterranean Meze | 120 East Jackson Avenue, Knoxville | @kefiknox | Mediterranean meze and cool craft cocktails.
NORTHSHORE BRASSERIE
French-Belgian Brasserie | 9430 South Northshore Drive, Knoxville | @northshorebrasserie | Classic French-Belgian upscale brasserie fare served in a relaxed atmosphere. The whole menu is great but we are especially fond of their steak frites!
STOCK & BARREL
Burgers & Bourbon | 5 Market Square, Knoxville | @thestockandbarrel | Burger and bourbon fans will love this downtown spot.
TAKO TACO
Mexican-Asian Fusion | 235 West Depot Avenue, Knoxville | @takotacoknox | Latin inspired dishes with a hint of Asian flavors, this lively taco restaurant serves unique entrees and a rotating menu of tacos in their signature handmade corn tortillas.
THE BRASS PEARL
Seafood | 24 Market Square, Knoxville | @thebrasspearlknox | 24 Market Square, Knoxville | @thebrasspearlknox | Knoxville’s only raw bar serves up the freshest ingredients and the seas’ most flavorful offerings for a simple, yet delicious hospitality concept. Pair great oysters and a seasonally rotating menu of fresh-catch entrees with a delicious hand-crafted cocktail or crisp bottle of bubbles.
VAN EDOM’S
12344 S Northshore Drive, Knoxville | @vanedomswinebar | Van Edom’s offers the most unique selections of wine and beer from around the world, delivering an exquisite tasting experience for everyone from the novice sipper to the seasoned connoisseur. Paired with a tapas-style menu, Van Edom’s makes for the perfect date night spot.
VIDA
Latin Dining & Lounge | 531 South Gay Street, Knoxville | @vida_knox | Housed in the historic Holston Bank building, the interior of this latin fusion spot is elegant and colorful and the food and drink menu certainly match that aesthetic.
For additional recommendations for what to do, see, and experience in Knoxville, follow TSG Knoxville on Instagram. And don’t forget to tell them Scout sent you!
